Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  12/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I rented a property from Cj real estate. Upon paying all fees I was not given access to the property. I paid a moving company almost $3000 to move my belongings on the move-in date but upon the walk through there were some unacceptable things wrong with the unit. The leasing agent said that the maintenance would fix it but I declined starting that it would inconvenience me because I’ve already for my move on my move in date. The leasing agent said she would meet me and she never did to give me the keys which has at this point resulted in me spending almost $5000 to move somewhere I have no keys to. The movers have charged me more money for having there truck past my scheduled time. Ive had to spend $500 on a hotel room. I’ve reached out via email to owners and higher management even visiting their office but no one has been able to correct the problem. All monies have been paid my utilities are active at the place I have no entry to.

  Business response

  12/09/2024

  The tenant would not sign the lease document, I have attached her text messages, we cannot give possession if all lease documents are not signed. The tenant signed the document 12/07/2024. Lease start date was 12/05/2024. We will not reimburse the tenant as our agent was in contact. 

   

   

  Customer response

  12/11/2024

   
  Complaint: ********  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  This will be escalated higher up.
  Sincerely,
  ********* *****

  Business response

  12/12/2024

  We are unable to reimburse someone for not signing a lease two days after the lease start date. The lease is attached to the file on this complaint. If the tenant needs to be reimbursed renters insurance can do that. Please contact your renters insurance company for assistance, no refunded will be granted from CJ Real Estate. 

• Initial Complaint

  12/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We applied to move in to a property at **** Millburn Drive in St Louis 63136. We were told we could pick up the keys October 28th. We were informed all utilities had to be scheduled to start 3 days before move in. We set up all the utilities, paid $2656 in total including the application fees for 2 people, Deposit, Pet Deposit, 1st month rent and pet Rent. I attempted to get in contact with my property manager via text and calls with no response for over a week, I finally attempted to contact her supervisor on our day of move in and was told she had been on vacation for 2 weeks and would be available that afternoon. When she finally called me late in the afternoon she stated we could not move in because the inspection hadn't been completed. She stated she would get it scheduled the next day. I texted her every day or 2 for a week before she was finally able to provide an inspection date over 2 weeks away on Nov 18th. She stated she should be able to get us moved in a couple days after the inspection. Nov 18th she informed us it did not pass inspection. On Nov 21st she stated she would be refunding me everything and it would take about 1 week. Today Dec 3rd I received a text from the property management company for $536, when I investigated further I found through the portal all of my deposits had been used up and I was also going to be charged a late fee for rent past due on a property we never got the opportunity to move in to. In addition to this our rent at this property was supposed to be $1000, we have been staying at an extended stay costing $2224 per month, and have been dealing with the burden of nearly 2 extra months of over double our expected rent due to their errors. Finally I have anxiety disorders and this has been severely adversely impacting my mental health

  Business response

  12/04/2024

  Wea re unable to move tenants in without an inspection from the city/county. If it does not pass we cannot allow tenants to have access until all repairs are done and it passes. We made this very clear to the tenant as the 28th was a Holiday (Thanksgiving) It caused a delay in the bank to issue refunds, they have been refunded below. The matter is closed and the amount has been fully refunded. 

  The following ePay payment has been refunded:
  _____________________________________________
  Refunded to Account: *****
  Refunded Date: 12/3/2024
  Total Refunded: $2036.00
  Accounts Affected:
     Refunded to Account: *****
     Refunded Amount: $2036.00

  The following ePay payment has been refunded:
  _____________________________________________
  Refunded to Account: 22829
  Refunded Date: 12/3/2024
  Total Refunded: $500.00
  Accounts Affected:
     Refunded to Account: 22829
     Refunded Amount: $500.00

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  08/06/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  This is ******** ******* and . We just moved into our unit July 15TH and are steady having new issues in our unit everyday it seems like and maintenance is absolutely horrible. We haven’t even been here more than 30 days and are having issues with our apartment like we’ve been here 3 years.. we been trying to get a new dishwasher for the past 2 weeks and the first week we tried to get it fixed they literally put the part that we needed in someone else’s dishwasher and said they were going to try to get us a new one, and THEN they came and said they were just going to order a whole new dishwasher And now as of Sunday, August 4th we have no electricity because we had ONE air conditioner on and now nothing works because it ended up cutting out, we had literally just turned it on for 2 hours, we have no lights, we have no wifi, and we can’t charge out phones because of this. UPDATE: AUGUST 6TH 2024. We finally got a new dishwasher TODAY but We have been out of power for TWO DAYS probably about to go on to 5 if the the electrician can even find where any of the wires go to. The electrician came at 2:20 PM and left at 3:39 PM stating that he would not be able to fix our power today because whoever renovated the property before we moved in has put the wrong wires to our apartment and has SOME of our wires going to god knows where.. this is RIDICULOUS. Now i’ve been calling maintenance since 3:35 PM and they keep answering and hanging up in my face but when i called from my boyfriends phone the woman answered and hung up AGAIN. This is unprofessional and I want my money back and i want to break this lease IMMEDIATELY I DO NOT RECOMMEND CJ REAL ESTATE TO ANYONE. I should have checked the reviews before we signed any type of lease this is a fault on my behalf for even trusting this SLUM LORD COMPANY but this is definitely a wrong doing 100% on THEM. I AM DISGUSTED.

  Business response

  08/08/2024

  We see the tenant moved in 07/15/2024, They have submitted 3 work orders for electrical outlet which has been addressed, this was on 08/04/2024 and addressed 08/06/2024, resolved 08/08/2024. They then also submitted a work order stating the cold-water pressure did not have enough pressure in sink. This has been addressed as well. If tenants wish and have any more maintenance request, they will need to contact maintenance directly *** *** ***** Attached are work orders submitted, 3-4 the exact same. We will not be breaking the lease or adding a refund. The issues have been responded and corrected in the allotted amount of time per lease agreement. 

  Customer response

  08/08/2024

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *******

• Initial Complaint

  06/11/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Moved in to apartment ran by CJ Real Estate on May 11th 2024 as of to this day have not been able to spend one night at thia place because of no air conditioning and no way to get any type of air flow through the apartment because windows and sliding doors do not have screens on windows. They were notified the day i moved in that the air is not working. I have paid a ridiculous amount to this company for not being able to spend time other than to shower and get clean clothes every day to go spend the night somewhere else to be able to sleep. I think i should be able to get out of my lease and get full amount back to find some where reputable to live.

  Business response

  06/12/2024

  We work on behalf of the owners, They have offered a window unit for the time being of a replacement of the ac unit. Tenant is welcome to call renters insurance to get reimbursed for any inconvenience or they can contact latchel, that is why these are required to have in case of any issues at the unit. 

  Customer response

  06/12/2024

   
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  There is no way a window unit will cool the entire apartment.    And it has tsken a month and me having to contact the BBB to get anything done.  It is ridiculous!
  Sincerely,
  **** ******

  Business response

  06/13/2024

  Again CJ Real Estate works on behalf of the owners, The maintenance team will reach out, or you can call them *** *** ****. 

• Initial Complaint

  06/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  May 8th 2024 my property owners (cj real estate) notified us that a new lock would be placed in our complex (basement door) and we received new keys, originally it was no lock on door so intruders were sleeping in basement plus getting in through window in basement which was fixed as well on may 8 2024 June 5,2024 we received a message which states: Good afternoon. If you have anything in the basements for storage, washer/dryers or anything personal needs to be removed before 6/12. We are going to have the locks changed to the basement on 6/12. Tenants are not permitted to enter the basements. June 5,2024 a neighbor sent out a text to ask why and this was response on June 6, 2024- Unfortunately, You were not authorized to install a unit down there as the units were not advertised or rented with washer and dryer hook ups. It is not fair if we allow you to have a washer and dryer installed and not the other tenants. All items will need to be removed before 6/12. We will be doing a lock change on 6/12 and cleaning out the basements. Tenants will be able to have access to the basement in case of tornado or changing furnace filter but nothing is to be kept down there and we will be doing periodic checks to ensure this area is not being used. We were also told it was due to water bill but all tenants pay water bill with lease, also this is a paid for washer and dryer it states no where in lease we could not have a washer in dryer in basement it is a washer in dryer hook up in basement but not inside our separate units also I do not have transportation to go else where to wash instead of washing at home so we would like to keep washer and dryer in basement all codes and locks have been changed so no intruders have been in basement

  Business response

  06/07/2024

  The tenants cannot store items in the basement at anytime, this is not a storage area or a common used area, ALL tenants must remove any belongings that are down in the basement. This is only to be used for changing filters and in case of severe weather. The washer and dryer was not provided by us and was not advertised to be used or hook up your own. This is not permitted and has caused the water to increase due to the tenants using common area water for needs that are not outlined in the lease nor accepted or approved. All items will need to be removed or we will have them removed, we have given more than the required amount of time of 24 hours to get these removed. 

  Customer response

  06/07/2024

  Proper dryer filter cleaning tip to prevent fires in lease again we all pay for water in our monthly rent the washer is only being used by two tenants I am willing to pay the extra bill if it is one outside of our rent water bill 

  Business response

  06/11/2024

  The lease does not state the tenants can provide own washer and dryer at the expense of the owners common area water, sewer, gas, or electric bill, We cannot allow one tenant to have a washer and dryer and not all of them as we cannot provide enough outlets for them to do so. The tenants need to remove the washer and dryer as stated or we will have it removed at there expense. Matter is closed and washer and dryer will need removed. We will not be paying for the tenants washer and dryer as they did not get permission before installing this nor is it allowed. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On Thursday May 9th I came home to see my water in my apartment wasn't working. I thought it was a water company issue they sent someone out on Thursday night from 8-9:15 PM. They informed me it wasn't my service. I contacted CJ Real Estate on Friday spoke to receptionist 2x and left 2 voicemails calls never returned. On Friday evening a worker from Blue ***** Maintenance came out and said he think someone shut off the valve in apartment below me. As of Monday (May 13th, 2024) I still have no water and yet to get a return phone call from CJ or Blue ***** maintenance just keep texting saying it going to be fixed. I'm over 96 hours of no water and can't get any assistance from the property owners or maintenance. Blue ***** has said this is on CJ Real Estate not them.

  Business response

  05/14/2024

  Tenant submitted a work order over the weekend, we went out and noticed no water to the unit, A water valve was turned off over the weekend at a vacant unit we could not get into, did a lock change The water is now on. If the tenant wants to seek reimbursement they are welcome to call Latchel who they pay for monthly. 

  Customer response

  05/16/2024

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I actually filed the maintenance request on a Thursday. I called and spoke with someone in the office twice on Friday as well as leaving voicemails. I got nothing other than text messages saying they were working on it. The actual events went as followed:

  * Thursday no water contacted Water department and they sent someone out for over a hour, and. said it wasn't my service it was something within my place or water valve.

  * Friday finally got a plumber to come out Friday evening he said nothing he can do ( he was sent over by CJ/Blue River). Stated the same thing as Water company. He tried to make some calls about getting into apartment below me and said he got no responses and wasn't sure what he could do. His name was *****

  *Saturday and Sunday there was no one communication outside of text message which I still have saying that are still working on it and couldn't reach the property managers to get into the apartment below me. 

  * On Monday I had to call them 2x and when I spoke with receptionist or whoever was on the phone she was saying they would send plumber out and I stated they already did that and plumber said the same as the water company they think it was shut off below me. CJ had no idea and was again going send another plumber out which would've done no good because that already been done. Without me stating that ******* Water and Plumber both said the same thing we'd still been going back and forth.

  The fact they had no one I could speak to or even get someone out there over the weekend is beyond unacceptable. In terms of the refund I want adjustment to my rent for the month of June since I went without water and couldn't reach anyone who had access to a key. How they going to reimburse me?

  I've heard nothing from CJ outside of my call and email. Who am I supposed to speak with about the rent adjustment? The fact the are even trying to down play there role in how long this took further shows they just looking to get their money and the tenants means nothing to them. They said they adjusted the locks and didn't have key all true because on Monday the worker that was sent out said he had to climb through a window to get in the apartment, so if he couldn't have gotten in there I'd still be a terrible position again because of CJ Real Estate and **** ***** somehow don't have access to lock changes they made on apartment below me. To add to that how does a maintenance company not double check to make sure they shut off the correct water? 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *****

• Initial Complaint

  04/14/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Last winter a snow plow company rammed into the fencing along the driveway and broke the left side of the gate which goes to the dumpster surround area. I informed CJ Properties immediately when this happened and instead of having it fixed properly, they probably just pocketed the insurance payout from the company who they hired to plow the snow. Everyday when we try to drive our cars into the driveway from the street the wind causes the right side of the gate to be blocking part of the driveway. They never fixed this. And, where the gate is broken there is very sharp broken metal where someone could get their hands cut while trying to dump their trash. It is dangerous. The broken fencing along the driveway has looked that way long enough. CJ Properties is committing gross negligence over and over and over again since we moved in.

  Business response

  04/17/2024

  Tenant is unaware of the actual procedure that took place, nor was insurance money involved, we work on behalf of the owners. This tenant seems to be the only one in the building with this complaint and has made us aware as of 04/14/2024 that this was an issue, this work order was closed in 2023 and is just now coming back up, which will be addressed again. The tenant is disputing rent amount which will not be waived. 

  Customer response

  04/17/2024

   
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I AM NOT DISPUTING RENT AMOUNT! THERE WAS A SNOW PLOW COMPANY THAT CJ PROPERTIES HIRED, WHO DAMAGED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GATES THAT ENCLOSE THE DUMPSTER AREA. I INFORMED CJ PROPERTIES THE MOMENT THAT HAPPENED MONTHS AGO WHEN THERE WAS A SNOW STORM. THAT GATE COSTS MORE THAN $500.00 WHICH THE STATE LAW SAYS "All property damage exceeding $500.00 must be reported to the department of motor vehicles. And, that SNOW PLOW DRIVER is fully responsible to have reported this to his vehicle insurance company. By CJ Properties denying that this is an insurance issue, they are admitting that neither they, nor the snow plow company that they hired has not followed the state laws regarding regarding reporting property damage exceeding $500.00. I pay my rent. This company is horrible about fixing and repairing anything olin a timely manor and that gate is dangerous. Someone can get cut on that sharp metal and the right side won't stay shut so it blocks the driveway during wind gusts.

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* **********

  Business response

  04/18/2024

  This is the photo of the dumpster gate the tenants referring to, its been repaired, the tenants have to make sure to lock it once they are done throwing trash away.

• Initial Complaint

  02/14/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Have had NO HEAT for 7 days already keep being told they are working on it. Keep getting the run around problem not fixed. It's been below freezing and they are not helping at all!

  Business response

  02/15/2024

  Our tech was unable to locate the part needed for this job so he provided a bid for full replacement. The maintenance team has been in contact daily regarding this matter, our solution for the time being until the replacement arrives is space heaters, these were offered to the tenant per our recorded calls and they denied them and stated they already have some. Maintenance is working on this matter and will be in touch with tenants daily as they have been. 

  Customer response

  02/15/2024

   
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: they didn't offer space heaters until a week later after we had already purchased our own. And maintenance doesn't check in with us we have to call every few days to get a response. And it's always the  same thing we're working on it.
  
  Sincerely,
  ******** ******

  Business response

  02/19/2024

  Please find attached the call recording where the tenants Husband **** who is also on the lease had chosen the times for repairs the on 02/07 phone call he chose the date and time of 02/08 130PM-4PM, the next date he choose as of 02/15 was that he needed to do 02/22/2024. We did not chose your dates. The tenants chose these dates for repairs. 

  Business response

  02/20/2024

  Per phone conversations attached to the previous response, tenants chose the dates, they stated they had to take off work so they chose they dates the needed, there is no run around, the tenants per recording chose the dates they wanted us to come to the home. 

• Initial Complaint

  01/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  August and September of 2023 Cj realtor was put on abatement because they wasn’t fixing the stuff section eight wanted them to fix. So because of the abatement and they didn’t fix the stuff. The lease was terminated September 30 2023 so they didn’t get paid for August and September. I continued to pay my portion for august and September.. due to the lease was terminated and I had to found somewhere to go I end up staying until December 11 2023..I moved they did the walk through and everything.. I was not informed of the walk through like they told me they was going to do.. They are trying to make me pay 746.00 that they didn’t get paid for being in abatement with section eight.so I was hit with all this charges.. there was nothing in the yard but a basketball hoop but I was charged for waste in yard.. I was also charged 400 to clean the house wasn’t nothing in there but to paint the walls.. which they had to paint anyways.Cj realtor also charged me 300 worth of late fees for October 310 late fee for November and 140 late fee for December.. I was told due to my lease I had a 0.00 late fee.. I never been charged a late fee and I been late couple times.. My upload pictures shows the amount for section eight portion month of September and august.and my 0.00 payment for late fee.

  Business response

  01/22/2024

  The tenant had caused all the damages to the property, these were tenant responsibility, all damages and work orders attached, Housing cancelled due to this tenant not taking care of property, we are unable to do all repairs on this property as the tenant kept damaging the property above normal wear and tear.  They cancelled the housing 09/01/2023, the tenant stopped paying. Attached is tenants open receivables. This tenant destroyed this property with holes walls and a ton of damage to flooring. All documents attached. We will not be changing the amount owed, none of what is owed is housing. 

   

  Tenant also called in when she was to vacate and stated:

   

  Call Recording to: *************
  Start Date/Time: 12/1/2023 10:01:27 AM
  Call Notes: *** ****** I spoke with ******** to remind her of her move out inspection that was scheduled for today at 11am. She stated that all of her belongings were still in the property and she was not out yet. I let her know that she would be charged for the month of Decembers rent since she was still in the property. 
  
  

  Business response

  01/29/2024

  We have addressed all we can, the tenant damaged the property above wear and tear, we will not be refunding or removing charges from the account as they are accurate. 

  Customer response

  02/01/2024

  Why was my complaint closed.that company over charged me 746.00 on my account and trying to make me pay more then what I owed. Nothing was resolved

• Initial Complaint

  01/19/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company is the landlord or claimed to be the landlord and owner of the property I rented, **** * ******* ***** ************* ** ***** beginning in April 2023. They had me sign the form adding to an existing lease that they specified CJ Properties would honor. The company breached the contract immediately. Then when I notified CJ Properties my employment at a previous employer changed they immediately tried to say I was not eligible to rent from them. I continued to pay rent until an eviction was filed, however, the owner was not CJ Properties, dismissal occured and they informed me they would wait until the last day of the lease to move me out but agreed to pay what was owed since the lease was illegal as well as utilities never cover. They refuse to pay the funds paid to them on my behalf. I'm requesting all of the money I paid the company. The owner of the property was confirmed by the Jackson county assessment office and city officials in records

  Business response

  01/19/2024

  This company is the landlord or claimed to be the landlord and owner of the property I rented, **** * ******* ***** ************* ** ***** beginning in April 2023. They had me sign the form adding to an existing lease that they specified CJ Properties would honor. The company breached the contract immediately. Then when I notified CJ Properties my employment at a previous employer changed they immediately tried to say I was not eligible to rent from them. I continued to pay rent until an eviction was filed, however, the owner was not CJ Properties, dismissal occured and they informed me they would wait until the last day of the lease to move me out but agreed to pay what was owed since the lease was illegal as well as utilities never cover. They refuse to pay the funds paid to them on my behalf. I'm requesting all of the money I paid the company. The owner of the property was confirmed by the Jackson county assessment office and city officials in records

  CJ Real Estate has managed this property since 06/2022. We had the tenant sign an amendment stating they would be adding another tenant to the lease agreement at the tenants request. As that tenant was not on the original lease at take over. The tenant was on a month to month lease agreement with previous management which that lease was honored as it always is at times of take over. If a tenant wants to renew, or remove and keep on tenant on the lease we request they make 3 times the monthly rent, this goes for all tenants that rent from CJ Real Estate. We have given you a non renewal for many lease violations, we are aware of the owner of the property and have the property management agreement with them. We are the management company not the owner, we manage on the owners behalf. 

   

  **** * ******* ****** 
  
  Utilities due $5,046.50 - This amount includes the additional $50 per month.  $50 x 12 = $600.00. (July 2022 to June of 2023).  Should this be 14 months so add $100.
  
  She also added $979.19 from the City of Independence.  
  
  Total = 6,025.69. (Or $6,125.69).
  
  ******* is requesting that the credit be applied to any move-out charges. 
  
  Any balance remaining, address ******* for a payment plan. 

   

  Business response

  04/09/2024

  All documents were provided in the previous responses to tenants complaints, We did not charge the tenant any rents or fees other than the damage they caused to the property, I have attached again the final statement and Ledger of the tenant damage and fees, tenants were credited all funds per the ledger. We wish to close this matter as a refund will not be issued and the charges for damages ONLY will remain on the account until paid. 

  Customer response

  04/15/2024

  I should not have an eviction again, the lease contract was breached and the trail was dismissed because the CJ Real Estate company did not have ownership as also provided in the emails from the ******* ****** property office and none of the additional documentation has my name or signature. I never had damage claims or cost and in addition no initial inspection.

  I am requesting rent be paid back

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩